Exotic Pet Care

Exotic Pet Care at Our Animal Hospital in Livonia

The wide world of pets seems to grow wider all the time as pet owners embrace all kinds of exotic pets, from hamsters and rabbits to lizards, turtles and other pocket pets. But caring for these animals isn't as straightforward or well understood as looking after a cat or dog -- and that's why you need an animal hospital in Livonia that really understands them. Here at Sheehy Animal Hospital, you can expect a high standard of exotic pet care from our veterinarian in Livonia, Dr. Sharon Sheehy.

Basic Health and Wellness Needs of Exotic Pets

Proper exotic pet care begins at home by providing your new friend with the right nutrition, housing and climate. For example, you'll want to provide an enclosure that offers plenty of room to move around in, with bedding that's safe for your particular animal. For example, reptile carpet can be a safer choice than sand for lizards, who may develop impacted digestive systems from sand ingestion during feedings. Paper, hay or similar bedding materials should be changed frequently so to prevent disease transmission. Snakes have another special need -- a tree branch or other rough surface they can use to shed their skin completely. (Incomplete shedding can cut off circulation in the tail.)

Food and climate can both prove challenging issues for owners of exotic pets. Fortunately, pet stores sell pellets formulated for the dietary needs of rabbits, hamsters and other popular pocket pets, but you may still need to supplement these products with healthy fruits or vegetables. Some pocket pets have exacting nutritional needs -- such as sugar gliders, who can become very ill without a precise phosphorus-calcium balance. Other pets such as reptiles require a relatively narrow range of temperature or humidity. Our veterinarian in Livonia can advise you on these and other home care practices to keep your pet healthy.

Preventative Care and Treatment From Our Livonia Veterinarian

Exotic pets need many of the same veterinary care procedures as cats and dogs. Regular wellness exams allow our Livonia veterinarian to detect any signs of health conditions that require treatment, from respiratory infections to cancer. Small, short-lived pocket pets such as hamsters may require two annual exams instead of one. Dental checkups and treatments can help many exotic pets ward off tooth loss and other painful problems. We can also administer vaccinations against diseases such as rabies and distemper, and perform spay or neuter surgery if you have males and females of the same animal. If your pet seems overweight, we can recommend dietary changes and exercise options to improve his fitness.